Be a Sea Searcher

Family investigations and games are not only fun but stimulate your child's curiosity, sharpen observation skills and can make your aquarium visit more enjoyable. Here are three games to choose from:

One-Two-Three Search

The aquarium is a great place to practice your "One-Two-Threes"! Some animals have one foot, some have two shells, some have five arms, some have eight legs, and more. The goal of the game is to find an aquarium animal with body parts for each number from one to ten. You can count fins, feet, gills, eyes, spots or anything. It's easy to play when you visit the aquarium or you can do it at home.

At the Aquarium

Try to find an animal with body parts for each of the numbers from one to ten: 1 tail, head, mouth, spine...2 eyes, flippers, ears, legs etc. Share the name of the animal and its body part, such as, "A leopard shark has one tail. A sea urchin has more than 10 spines."

At Home

Print out a copy of the "One-Two-Three Search" activity sheet. Find an animal with body parts for each of the numbers from one to ten. Share the name of the animal and its body part, such as, "The sea otter has one nose."

Another way to play is to look at pictures of animals in books, from recycled calendars and magazines or on the aquarium web site and find animals with body parts for each of the numbers from one to ten. It's also fun to do a nature number search in the schoolyard, nearby park or at home.

Patterns Search

Stripes, spots, bright colors and drab hues can help an animal blend in with its surroundings or warn predators to stay away. See if you can find the animals or plants that have different coloration patterns.

At the Aquarium

Try to find an animal or plant that matches each pattern. You will find them in or near our Splash Zone and Kelp Forest exhibits.

Decide: Does the coloration pattern help the animal blend in with its surroundings? Or does it warn predators to stay away?

ABC Search

Search for an animal or plant for each letter of the alphabet. Before the visit to the aquarium, read an alphabet book with your children and talk about beginning sounds, and explore the aquarium web site looking for pictures of animals you may see on your trip.

At the Aquarium

Challenge your family to find animals or plants for each letter of the alphabet. Make up an imaginary animal or plant if you are stuck on hard letters like Q or X.